Page 441 - LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women

There was no bridal procession, but a sudden silence
fell upon the room as Mr. March and the young couple
took their places under the green arch. Mother and sisters
gathered close, as if loath to give Meg up. The fatherly

voice broke more than once, which only seemed to make
the service more beautiful and solemn. The bridegroom’s
hand trembled visibly, and no one heard his replies. But
Meg looked straight up in her husband’s eyes, and said, ‘I
will!’ with such tender trust in her own face and voice that
her mother’s heart rejoiced and Aunt March sniffed
audibly.
Jo did not cry, though she was very near it once, and
was only saved from a demonstration by the consciousness
that Laurie was staring fixedly at her, with a comical
mixture of merriment and emotion in his wicked black
eyes. Beth kept her face hidden on her mother’s shoulder,
but Amy stood like a graceful statue, with a most
becoming ray of sunshine touching her white forehead
and the flower in her hair.
It wasn’t at all the thing, I’m afraid, but the minute she
was fairly married, Meg cried, ‘The first kiss for Marmee!’
and turning, gave it with her heart on her lips. During the
next fifteen minutes she looked more like a rose than ever,
for everyone availed themselves of their privileges to the

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